Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycota
Subphylum: Pezizomycotina
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Subclass: Lecanoromycetidae
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Stereocaulaceae
Genus: Stereocaulon
Species: Stereocaulon corticatulum

Stereocaulon corticatulum is a common fructose lichen. It is the only species of lichen known to occur from sea level to 3000 metres. It is white or grey lichen and found on the sides of rocky banks and on disturbed ground.  It can be quite short with a few branches 8cm tall. Clumps of this lichen can be 15cm or wider.

Stereocaulon corticatulum growing on a roadside bank.
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Stereocaulon corticatulum.JPG     

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Fructose lichen Stereocaulon corticatulum.JPG

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Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/